Regulations guaranteeing automatic removal of an offender’s criminal record for convictions relating to the smoking or possession of small quantities of ganja are currently being drafted by the Ministry of Justice. This is one of several key provisions being facilitated under the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) (Amendment) Act 2014, which came into effect in October last year. Providing details...

Debate on the Evidence (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to introduce significant reforms in the justice system, was suspended in the Senate, on January 23. Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, explained that this was due to concerns raised by Senators on certain sections of the Bill. “I have listened to the points made in the debate and I...

The Government intends to embark on a public education campaign to discourage the use of ganja among specific groups in society. Among those to be targeted are: adolescents, persons with mental disorders, pregnant women and other vulnerable persons. This campaign is to be supported from a portion of the revenues anticipated from the establishment of a new licensing regime for...

The Court Management Services (CMS) wishes to advise members of the public that one of the elevators which was out of service at the Supreme Court Building, is now working. This following extensive repairs carried out by technicians to address the malfunction. The CMS will continue to monitor and address the infrastructural needs of the courts through its general maintenance...

A Cannabis Licensing Authority is to be established to regulate the proposed hemp and medicinal ganja industry in Jamaica. This is one of the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2015, which is expected to be tabled in the Senate on Friday, January 23. The Bill seeks to decriminalize ganja for medicinal, religious, and private/personal use. Making the disclosure...

Attorney-at-Law, Arlene Harrison Henry, created history today (January 16), when she became the first woman in Jamaica to be appointed Public Defender. Mrs. Harrison Henry, who was sworn into office by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House, succeeds Earl Witter, QC, who retired last April at the age of 70. Public...

His Excellency The Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Arlene Harrison Henry to the post of Public Defender in accordance with the Public Defender (Interim) Act of 2000. Her appointment takes effect as of the 19th of January, 2015. Mrs. Harrison Henry, former President of the Jamaica Bar Association, was called...